Japan’s Sharp Denies Talks with Intel

Japan’s Sharp Corp has denied a Japanese newspaper report it is in talks with U.S. chipmaker Intel Corp on a capital alliance that would offer a possible lifeline to the troubled TV maker as discussions with Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co stall.

Sharp spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama denied the report in Japan’s Mainichi newspaper, which reported on Friday without citing sources that the companies were in talks for Intel to invest more than 30 billion yen (236 million pounds) in Sharp, potentially making it Sharp’s top shareholder.

An Intel spokesman declined to comment.

The paper said the two could reach a deal as early as next month, although Sharp will also continue its capital tie-up discussions with Hon Hai, it added.